Fight for the future Cures
When we look at athletes on TV or in person, we are amazed on their ability to perform. They simply make it look easy. In order to keep their reputations high and flowing, athletes must put their bodies through intense actions. When we look at our favorite sports team, we can’t help but to jump off our seats and cheer when they make a great play. We can also get disappointed when they don’t perform as expected. It is even more disappointing when in a quick moment our favorite athlete gets injured and is done for the entire season. Have you ever wondered how some of them bounce back so quickly? Many within as little as a year make outstanding recoveries. It turns out in our bodies we have stem cells that help with such recoveries. Scientists are spending countless hours to understand stem cells better. As we all know science does change the world. In many cases the methods of obtaining stem cells has caused a big controversy between many groups of people. What is often lost in all of the controversy and debate that surrounds this topic is the amazing medical potential that it offers.
Stem cell research is an interesting topic. Most people don’t know much about this type of research. In order to understand this topic much better, we must also understand what stem cell research is, along with stem cells. Stem cell research involves stem cells from all over the body, including embryonic. This is basically scientist using these cells to conduct experiments to find cures for diseases, beneficial therapies and much more. Now we must understand stem cells and the important functions they do. Stem cells are remarkable in many ways because they set themselves apart from the rest of the cells. It is essential for us have stem cells in our body, because they help our body with many important functions. They can be found easily in most parts of our body. Scientists have been known to take them out bone marrow, our fat and often out of small embryos (Stem Cell information). They have the amazing skill to make exact copies of themselves, divide indefinitely and at will. Our bodies are made up of more than 200 different cell types. Stem cells can turn into any of those 200 cells when in need to do so. This is for example a skin cell, heart cell, heart cell and many more. Stem cells are really good for people, including athletes. They serve as an internal repair system for any damaged part in our bodies (Stem Cell Information). Since stem cells poses a great potential, scientist have decided to explore more in depth secrets about them.
Doctors and scientists have strong support for this type of research. As many doctors know, it can be very challenging to cure many patients. It can even become challenging to do something simple as to care for them. According to Dr. Jack Kessler, stem cell research benefits his patients in many ways (Mapping Stem Cell Research). Dr. Kessler claims he has used stem cells to cure many patients. He explains he has helped the elderly with brain functions and muscle aces by experimenting with stem cells. As we all know many surgeries can be very dangerous and in many cases ineffective. Stem cell research offers a much safer way of treatment compared to many surgeries and operations (Mapping Stem Cell Research). If we think about it, these operations often are very costly, costing patients thousands of dollars. It is not certain exactly how much cheaper stem cell operations will be. Many experts claim it will vary and depend on the person’s situation. Not only will this form of research offer a much safer way of treatment, but it might be less costly as well. Just like scientists, athletes too find this topic to be very helpful. Many Professional figures have undergone many surgeries. This involves the injection of stem cells in the affected areas. One of those professional figures happens to be former Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon. Bartolo had a struggling last season do to some torn ligaments in his arm, and a rotator cuff. Florida orthopedic sergeant Joseph R. Purita, extracted fat and bone marrow stem cells from Colon and injected them in his shoulder and elbow in an effort for treatment (Epstein, David). After undergoing the stem cell operation bam, Colon is back pitching and he has an amazing start this season with the Yankees. The NBA has its own team of athletes who have also undergone this treatment. A few examples are Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Kenyon Martin (Epstein, David). This proves the wonderful potential that stem cells hold. Who knows maybe if this treatment continues to work properly, we will eventually begin to see our favorite athlete retire at a later stage in their careers. Just like this type of research might do wonders for athletes, it will do wonders for injured individuals as well. If we remember the original superman and the man behind it, we can understand this topic a little bit more. If you guessed Christopher Reeve, then you’re right. He had a tragic accident that turned him into a quadriplegic (Christopher Reeve Home Page). In May 1995 during an event in Culpeper, Virginia, Christopher was balked off a horse. His hands were tangled in the horses bridle and he landed head first, fracturing his spine. This left him instantly paralyzed from the neck down (Christopher Reeve Home Page). Despite his accident he never gave up on life. He never stopped believing in the capacity of stem cell research. In the efforts to help people just like him, Christopher created The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (Christopher Reeve Home Page). This foundation is putting to work the dream that Reeves had. He knew that stem cells held a secret, and that they were beneficial to mankind. For his determination in life and the strong efforts to help others like him, many people actually did seem him as Superman. So far we know little about stem cells. We know they can be used to cure injuries of the body. We have yet to find new discoveries. We are aware that until this point many incurable diseases still exist. Stem cell research offers the possibilities to find cures for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer, diabetes and find the causes of birth defects. They hold a bright future for us, stopping this research now might be regretted in the future. This research has already proved of all the things it can do, and there are a lot of people out there that agree to this statement.
The accident that Christopher Reeves had changed his life forever. Today there are many families that live with the same problems as Christopher Reeve did. Spinal cord injuries are by far some of the most life changing accidents one can experience. The big example to this is Dr. Jack Kessler himself. He spends an enormous amount of time in in his laboratory studying stem cells. His motivation increases more and more as the days go by (Mapping Stem Cells). It wasn’t just his love as a neurologist that gives him all this motivations. A few years ago one of his teenaged daughters had a skiing accident. The accident fractured part of her spine and left her paralyzed from the waist down. This puts a bigger pressure on Dr. Kessler to find the cure for those injuries. Jack is putting together stem cells and rats to see if they get potential clues to the treatment of back injuries (Mapping Stem Cell Research). Dr. Kessler explains how hard it has been to his daughter live in the circumstances she does. He wishes that some days he can find the cure for her, and many others. In connection with Dr. Kessler, millions of families have loved ones that are paralyzed or unable to walk do to a tragic accident. These families don’t lose hope, and wish that someday their loved ones can be cured. By nature these families will have to support stem cell research. When it comes down to the treatment of their loved ones, many medications are good, but they always have strong negative side effects. If scientists and researchers continue to experiment with stem cells, better medication will soon be developed; a medication with more effect, and less side effects. After all the research it seems everyone would agree to this topic with support and understanding. Well that doesn’t seem to be the case. This topic has caused a big controversy that has been unleashed among society.
Until this point there are many people that disagree about this topic. It is not necessarily that they disagree about it all, only the part that deals with the embryos. We have learned that stem cells can come from many parts of the body. So why bother obtaining embryonic stem cells? Compared to adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells can turn into any cells in the body because they are pluripotent and much more productive cells. Adult stem cells have a limitation with functions and the amount of different cells they can turn into (Stem Cell Information). This is why in most cases; scientists prefer to use embryonic stem cells versus adult stem cells. In July 2006 agreeing with all the pro-life liberals, President Bush vetoed the stem cell research act. This caused a big problem between science, religion and politics. It limited the accessibility in stem cell research, making scientist’s progress much slower and less affective with this topic. “In many cases this type of research involves the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory fertilized human egg” (Concerned Women of America). By connecting science and religion, many controversies pop up. In the case of stem cell research, we must ask ourselves what is correct and what is morally wrong.” For many, the continuation of stem cell research is morally wrong, because it kills a potential human life (Guenin, Louis). The Catholic Church is against these actions as well. They believe cloning embryos is against gods will and it is a sin. Just like the Catholic Church, the Concerned Women of America believe killing an embryo is the same as killing a human life (Concerned Women of America). To them this is morally wrong and should be stopped.” Almost all the 400,000 embryos in fertility clinics are wanted by their parents (Concerned Women of America). An argument to this is that as Dr. Jack Kessler once stated “It is not human, unless the embryonic cell is implanted in a women’s uterus” (Mapping Stem Cell Research). “These embryos are basically blastocysts balls, no possible way of becoming a human alone” (Mapping Stem Cell Research). A blastocyst is basically a 3 to 5 day old embryo. Many abortion groups have been skeptical about this form of studies. They claim millions of dollars have been spent on destructive embryonic stem cell research and the results are a failure. They are doubtful that it actually works and they think it can cause cancer and have negative side effects. In March 2009 current President Barak Obama enraged many individuals once again. He over turned the policy created by ex-president George W. Bush on stem cells research, giving more accessibility to scientists and researchers (Phillips, Theresa). This topic is hard, and it is even harder to acknowledge at what stage in the biology cycle you are considered an actual human being. “At the early stages when the fetus first appears, things can be fuzzy and this might be ok because it is used for good”. “Killing the zygote when small body parts have formed along with tissues and layers, than this is not ok” (Susan Longest). The people that disagree should try and understand this topic more in detail. If we actually took into consideration all the messages that these abortionist groups try and convey, we might be heading in the wrong direction.
Scientists have already used stem cells to prove their good uses. It is basically the body learning how to heal itself (Mapping Stem Cell Research). If we stopped this research now we could be closing the doors for new discoveries. Some of those discoveries might be for cancers and tumors. Wouldn’t that be beneficial for individuals with such diseases? We must look at the problems in health care today, and compare them to this research. We have to ask ourselves, will this research do more good than bad, or vice versa? We have to be aware that we all see matters differently. Most of us will not be ok with many things, while other will. It is in human nature to agree and disagree on many topics. The topic of stem cells is a major example. As society progresses, so does technology and many other things. With more and more technology, scientist will have more resources to work with. It is a matter of waiting with hope and support. The cure for all the horrible diseases that exist today might just be around the corner.
When we look at athletes on TV or in person, we are amazed on their ability to perform. They simply make it look easy. In order to keep their reputations high and flowing, athletes must put their bodies through intense actions. When we look at our favorite sports team, we can’t help but to jump off our seats and cheer when they make a great play. We can also get disappointed when they don’t perform as expected. It is even more disappointing when in a quick moment our favorite athlete gets injured and is done for the entire season. Have you ever wondered how some of them bounce back so quickly? Many within as little as a year make outstanding recoveries. It turns out in our bodies we have stem cells that help with such recoveries. Scientists are spending countless hours to understand stem cells better. As we all know science does change the world. In many cases the methods of obtaining stem cells has caused a big controversy between many groups of people. What is often lost in all of the controversy and debate that surrounds this topic is the amazing medical potential that it offers.
Stem cell research is an interesting topic. Most people don’t know much about this type of research. In order to understand this topic much better, we must also understand what stem cell research is, along with stem cells. Stem cell research involves stem cells from all over the body, including embryonic. This is basically scientist using these cells to conduct experiments to find cures for diseases, beneficial therapies and much more. Now we must understand stem cells and the important functions they do. Stem cells are remarkable in many ways because they set themselves apart from the rest of the cells. It is essential for us have stem cells in our body, because they help our body with many important functions. They can be found easily in most parts of our body. Scientists have been known to take them out bone marrow, our fat and often out of small embryos (Stem Cell information). They have the amazing skill to make exact copies of themselves, divide indefinitely and at will. Our bodies are made up of more than 200 different cell types. Stem cells can turn into any of those 200 cells when in need to do so. This is for example a skin cell, heart cell, heart cell and many more. Stem cells are really good for people, including athletes. They serve as an internal repair system for any damaged part in our bodies (Stem Cell Information). Since stem cells poses a great potential, scientist have decided to explore more in depth secrets about them.
Doctors and scientists have strong support for this type of research. As many doctors know, it can be very challenging to cure many patients. It can even become challenging to do something simple as to care for them. According to Dr. Jack Kessler, stem cell research benefits his patients in many ways (Mapping Stem Cell Research). Dr. Kessler claims he has used stem cells to cure many patients. He explains he has helped the elderly with brain functions and muscle aces by experimenting with stem cells. As we all know many surgeries can be very dangerous and in many cases ineffective. Stem cell research offers a much safer way of treatment compared to many surgeries and operations (Mapping Stem Cell Research). If we think about it, these operations often are very costly, costing patients thousands of dollars. It is not certain exactly how much cheaper stem cell operations will be. Many experts claim it will vary and depend on the person’s situation. Not only will this form of research offer a much safer way of treatment, but it might be less costly as well. Just like scientists, athletes too find this topic to be very helpful. Many Professional figures have undergone many surgeries. This involves the injection of stem cells in the affected areas. One of those professional figures happens to be former Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon. Bartolo had a struggling last season do to some torn ligaments in his arm, and a rotator cuff. Florida orthopedic sergeant Joseph R. Purita, extracted fat and bone marrow stem cells from Colon and injected them in his shoulder and elbow in an effort for treatment (Epstein, David). After undergoing the stem cell operation bam, Colon is back pitching and he has an amazing start this season with the Yankees. The NBA has its own team of athletes who have also undergone this treatment. A few examples are Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Kenyon Martin (Epstein, David). This proves the wonderful potential that stem cells hold. Who knows maybe if this treatment continues to work properly, we will eventually begin to see our favorite athlete retire at a later stage in their careers. Just like this type of research might do wonders for athletes, it will do wonders for injured individuals as well. If we remember the original superman and the man behind it, we can understand this topic a little bit more. If you guessed Christopher Reeve, then you’re right. He had a tragic accident that turned him into a quadriplegic (Christopher Reeve Home Page). In May 1995 during an event in Culpeper, Virginia, Christopher was balked off a horse. His hands were tangled in the horses bridle and he landed head first, fracturing his spine. This left him instantly paralyzed from the neck down (Christopher Reeve Home Page). Despite his accident he never gave up on life. He never stopped believing in the capacity of stem cell research. In the efforts to help people just like him, Christopher created The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation (Christopher Reeve Home Page). This foundation is putting to work the dream that Reeves had. He knew that stem cells held a secret, and that they were beneficial to mankind. For his determination in life and the strong efforts to help others like him, many people actually did seem him as Superman. So far we know little about stem cells. We know they can be used to cure injuries of the body. We have yet to find new discoveries. We are aware that until this point many incurable diseases still exist. Stem cell research offers the possibilities to find cures for diseases like cancer, Alzheimer, diabetes and find the causes of birth defects. They hold a bright future for us, stopping this research now might be regretted in the future. This research has already proved of all the things it can do, and there are a lot of people out there that agree to this statement.
The accident that Christopher Reeves had changed his life forever. Today there are many families that live with the same problems as Christopher Reeve did. Spinal cord injuries are by far some of the most life changing accidents one can experience. The big example to this is Dr. Jack Kessler himself. He spends an enormous amount of time in in his laboratory studying stem cells. His motivation increases more and more as the days go by (Mapping Stem Cells). It wasn’t just his love as a neurologist that gives him all this motivations. A few years ago one of his teenaged daughters had a skiing accident. The accident fractured part of her spine and left her paralyzed from the waist down. This puts a bigger pressure on Dr. Kessler to find the cure for those injuries. Jack is putting together stem cells and rats to see if they get potential clues to the treatment of back injuries (Mapping Stem Cell Research). Dr. Kessler explains how hard it has been to his daughter live in the circumstances she does. He wishes that some days he can find the cure for her, and many others. In connection with Dr. Kessler, millions of families have loved ones that are paralyzed or unable to walk do to a tragic accident. These families don’t lose hope, and wish that someday their loved ones can be cured. By nature these families will have to support stem cell research. When it comes down to the treatment of their loved ones, many medications are good, but they always have strong negative side effects. If scientists and researchers continue to experiment with stem cells, better medication will soon be developed; a medication with more effect, and less side effects. After all the research it seems everyone would agree to this topic with support and understanding. Well that doesn’t seem to be the case. This topic has caused a big controversy that has been unleashed among society.
Until this point there are many people that disagree about this topic. It is not necessarily that they disagree about it all, only the part that deals with the embryos. We have learned that stem cells can come from many parts of the body. So why bother obtaining embryonic stem cells? Compared to adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells can turn into any cells in the body because they are pluripotent and much more productive cells. Adult stem cells have a limitation with functions and the amount of different cells they can turn into (Stem Cell Information). This is why in most cases; scientists prefer to use embryonic stem cells versus adult stem cells. In July 2006 agreeing with all the pro-life liberals, President Bush vetoed the stem cell research act. This caused a big problem between science, religion and politics. It limited the accessibility in stem cell research, making scientist’s progress much slower and less affective with this topic. “In many cases this type of research involves the destruction of blastocysts formed from laboratory fertilized human egg” (Concerned Women of America). By connecting science and religion, many controversies pop up. In the case of stem cell research, we must ask ourselves what is correct and what is morally wrong.” For many, the continuation of stem cell research is morally wrong, because it kills a potential human life (Guenin, Louis). The Catholic Church is against these actions as well. They believe cloning embryos is against gods will and it is a sin. Just like the Catholic Church, the Concerned Women of America believe killing an embryo is the same as killing a human life (Concerned Women of America). To them this is morally wrong and should be stopped.” Almost all the 400,000 embryos in fertility clinics are wanted by their parents (Concerned Women of America). An argument to this is that as Dr. Jack Kessler once stated “It is not human, unless the embryonic cell is implanted in a women’s uterus” (Mapping Stem Cell Research). “These embryos are basically blastocysts balls, no possible way of becoming a human alone” (Mapping Stem Cell Research). A blastocyst is basically a 3 to 5 day old embryo. Many abortion groups have been skeptical about this form of studies. They claim millions of dollars have been spent on destructive embryonic stem cell research and the results are a failure. They are doubtful that it actually works and they think it can cause cancer and have negative side effects. In March 2009 current President Barak Obama enraged many individuals once again. He over turned the policy created by ex-president George W. Bush on stem cells research, giving more accessibility to scientists and researchers (Phillips, Theresa). This topic is hard, and it is even harder to acknowledge at what stage in the biology cycle you are considered an actual human being. “At the early stages when the fetus first appears, things can be fuzzy and this might be ok because it is used for good”. “Killing the zygote when small body parts have formed along with tissues and layers, than this is not ok” (Susan Longest). The people that disagree should try and understand this topic more in detail. If we actually took into consideration all the messages that these abortionist groups try and convey, we might be heading in the wrong direction.
Scientists have already used stem cells to prove their good uses. It is basically the body learning how to heal itself (Mapping Stem Cell Research). If we stopped this research now we could be closing the doors for new discoveries. Some of those discoveries might be for cancers and tumors. Wouldn’t that be beneficial for individuals with such diseases? We must look at the problems in health care today, and compare them to this research. We have to ask ourselves, will this research do more good than bad, or vice versa? We have to be aware that we all see matters differently. Most of us will not be ok with many things, while other will. It is in human nature to agree and disagree on many topics. The topic of stem cells is a major example. As society progresses, so does technology and many other things. With more and more technology, scientist will have more resources to work with. It is a matter of waiting with hope and support. The cure for all the horrible diseases that exist today might just be around the corner.